Clover Blog

IN CLOVERLAND

TNNA: The National Needlework Association
Long Beach, CA

The National Needlework Show is the event from which we draw inspiration and creative energy for knitting, crocheting, needlepoint and other yarn-related crafts. Those of us that have a yarn addiction have been known to stand in front of a yarn booth and break out in a sweat and start to shake. The textures and colors are overwhelming and the model garments and other projects cause us to consider giving up our jobs and spending our days doing little but knitting. Then reality sets in and we realize that wouldn't work because we wouldn't be able to buy yarn!! Still, I did come home with a few treasures!

I have long been interested in the yarn spun from Qiviut fiber. For those of you not familar with this amazing fiber it is the undercoat of the wild musk ox. 

As you can probably see by the photo here, they aren't the most friendly of creatures - I wouldn't want to be the one to remove their undercoat!

Qiviut (pronounced kiv-ee-ut) is one of the finest and warmest fibers on earth. It's not easy to get hold of but muskox yarn is prized by many experienced knitters and spinners who appreciate its unique fiber properties such as fineness, warmth, softness and non-shrinkage.

Musk oxen are native to Arctic regions in Alaska, Canada and Greenland. During the 1850s they were hunted to extinction in Alaska, however a small herd from Greenland was re-introduced and they are now flourishing. Each year, this remarkably tough animal grows a dense layer of Qiviut over its entire body, protected from wind and precipitation by an outer coat of dark brown guard hair. The fine, dense underwool helps insultate the musk ox from tempratures that can go as low as -50F. Each Spring, the musk ox naturally sheds it coat so, unlike sheep, no shearing is necesaary to remove the fiber. Because shedding is fairly synchronous, large fleecy sheets of Qiviut can be combed from the shoulder and flank areas of animals.

Qiviut is a speciality yarn and isn't widely available, however, if you make the effort you can get hold of Qiviut yarn from small specialty farms and suppliers in both Alaska and Canada.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CELEBRITIES AND CLOVER
People We met at TNNA

LILY CHIN

We at CLOVER were fortunate to have the opportunity to visit with the this dynamic knitter and crocheter at the TNNA show. Lily won the WORLD'S FASTEST CROCHETER contest and has been named Master Knitter by Vogue Knitting International. She loves to work with Clover's needles and hooks.

Lily Chin, named a “Master Knitter” by Vogue Knitting International, has designed knitwear for magazines and yarn companies for nearly 25 years, and she has worked with designers Ralph Lauren, Vera Wang, Diane von Furstenberg, and Isaac Mizrahi. Her work has been on the backs of celebrities and super models, from Racquel Welch and Vanna White to Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell. She is the author of Knit and Crochet with Beads, The Urban Knitter, and Mosaic Magic, and she has written the “On Designing” column for Knitter’s Magazine and the annual “Focus on Fibers” report for Knit ‘n Style. Lily also is the reigning champion fastest crocheter in the world, a title she defended in October 2004 at the world championships in London. Lily Chin regularly appears as a spokesperson for the yarn industry in media across the U.S., including in publications such as Time, the New York Times, USA Today, and on TV: The David Letterman Show, the CBS Early Show, DIY’s Knitty Gritty, E! Style Network’s Craft Corner Death Match, Lifetime’s Handmade by Design, HGTV’s Sew Much More, and CNN. Lily Chin has lived in New York City nearly all her life and has been involved in some aspect of the fashion industry since age 13. She attended the Fashion Institute of Technology, and was educated at Queens College, City University of New York.

 

Carol Porter, Lily Chin and myself. The dress Lily has on was crocheted with Clover's Tunisian Double Ended Hook. It was awesome! The sweater in the photos below was made using the same technique, and was featured in the Winter 2010 issue of Interweave Crochet. What an inspiration this young woman is to all of us who love crochet!

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CAROLYN HENNESY

Back row: Left to right, Eva Plosker, Raquel Serrano, Alicia Salazaar, Phil South, Carol Porter, Bill Gardner. Front row: left to right, Edith Eig (owner of La Knitterie Parisienne), Carolyn Hennesy, me

You may recognize her as the 2010 Daytime Emmy Outstanding Supporting Actress nominee for her role as Diane Miller, a smart, sassy mob lawer on the daytime soap opera, General Hospital, or as Barb Coman, the real estate agent from ABC's primetime hit Cougar Town. And guess what! She loves to knit! Carolyn loves knitting with Clover's Takumi Bamboo needles. Her favorite knitting store is La Knitterie Parisienne in Studio City, California, where she's learned some tips from owner and designer Edith Eig.

You may read the entire interview with Carolyn in the News section on our web site. 

It was a delight to meet Carolyn and to share her excitement at seeing all the yarn possibilities at the show. Not only is Carolyn a known actress, she is the successful author of the Pandora series. I'm reading the first one in the series and thoroughly enjoying it.

She left the show with some awesome yarn and I can't wait to see what Carolyn's finished projects will be. Hopefully we will be able to get some pictures and share her creativity with the needles on the blog.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EDITH EIG

Edith Eig and Carolyn Hennesy (pictured on the right)

Edith Eig is the owner of the Needlecraft shop to the stars in Studio City, CA and one of our popular guest demonstrators as well as a staunch supporter of Clover's Takumi Bamboo knitting needles. We always appreciate the time with Edith and delight in learning knitting and crocheting tips.

Carolyn is wearing a scarf I knit using Pagewood Farms new Pearl Yarn.  It was quick and easy and so much fun to work with.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DOINGS

AUGUST

Hoo Wee! Remember all those days I have complained about how cold it is here in the Northwest? Well those days are long gone. We rarely have temps in the 90s and when we do "they" start talking about water rationing for lawns and washing cars ... like I wash my car. We actually turned on the air conditioner once we found the manual and learned how to change from heat to cool. As you probably gathered from our needing the manual we don't use the air conditioning very often. We've had 4 days in a row of over 90-degree temps. I now remember what true sweating is like. No complaints though.

On these hot days I hide out in the daylight basement office where I am usually building a fire ... well, the fireplace in the office. Nowadays I come down here to work and play where it is cool. 

I haven't done a lot of stranded knitting but have always admired the look. Ravelry.com had some great tam pPatterns available (three tams) and I decided it was time to pull out the yarns and needles and give it a try. The patterns use over-dyed yarns instead of multiple colors to achieve the finished effect.

The pattern calls for 16" circulars, 24" circulars and double pointed needles to finish off the top. My 16" circs were being used with another project so I choose to make the hat using Clovers 7" double points.  I am normally a tight knitter and have had to loosen up a LOT with this project. It's a great project for me as it makes me loosen up and read a graph.

   

These Pictures show the finished model I am working on and all three tam patterns. If hats are your thing you will love these sweet little things. Check them out on Ravelry.com. Search the Pattern section for "tams."

..............................UPDATE ON MY SPINNING.............................

I continue to work with the drop spindle and "spin" some yarn each night. As with all things practice works the kinks out of whatever you are doing ... most of the time. My first attempts were oooookay but I wanted better than okay and have been working to get my yarn down to sock weight. I'm thinking I have a better chance at a sock than a sweater as slow at producing finished product as I am.

Above you can see the nubby bumps and to the right I am managing my technique and getting a consistent texture.  Who knows, another year and I might have enough for two socks.

I will continue to practice and hopefully will become faster while keeping the consistency. It's great fun and I do get lost in the process. I am wondering, though, if I need to try it on a wheel and see if I can product finished product faster.

Time will tell.

.......................................THINGS TO COME........................................

I am "playing" with the new items Clover will be introducing this fall at FALL QUILT MARKET trade show in Houston, TX, October 28th - November 1.

Can't tell you what they are just yet but quilters and especially appliquer's will love this new template. I have had so much fun working with it and find that it lends itself to many facets of crafting and needlework.

Keep checking to see what it is.

The sunshine is calling so I'm heading out to the deck to work on some models for these great new products. This is one view from my deck ...

As you can see by the brown pasture we have had a dry summer ... again, an unusual happening for this time of year.

There are beds of lavender planted below the deck and when the breeze blows through the plants the air is scented with the calming smell of lavender. 

Hope your week is filled with love, family, friends and your favorite bit of needlework.

 

DOINGS

ADVENTURES IN SPINNING

This is so exciting I'm thinking of calling CNN or maybe Oprah and let them know that I am taking a SPINNING CLASS!  My Dr. will probably be excited to hear....hopefully she will think I mean the bicycle class that involves E-X-E-R-C-I-S-E!

 As a child I watched my grandmother "card" cotton in the evenings on the front porch of her rural Mississippi home.  Once I learned to knit and crochet I equated carding cotton or wool with spinning yarn but never could remember her doing that.  My Mother reminded me that she used the carded cotton as batting in her quilts.  In those days if you wanted a cover to keep warm with you made it.

Spinning yarn has always drawn me...there just seems like there is something magical about the process.  As in the book EAT-LOVE-PRAY I can't go to Italy for 4 months and eat pasta or to India to learn to meditate and I have already fallen in love so spinning seemed like the best way to meditate.

WRONG !

NOT!

Since I have access to the BEST knitting needles in the world I thought it would be fun to spin my own yarn and use those excellent needles to whip up some shape, form or fashion of a garment.

My first class was this past weekend and was it an eye opener.  The DROP SPINDLE was my first weapon of choice since it seems I need to learn the process before purchasing an expensive spinning wheel.  My husband was glad to hear this.

I was presented with my own spindle and "hunk" of fleece.  I learned about the different ways to buy roving....bats that can also be used for quilts and ....................................................

I had to learn to spin with both.  I'm thinking I will master this and have enough yarn to knit sweaters for my entire family within a few weeks.

NOT !

Lordy!  I spent 3 hours with my delightful teacher and came away with this....

As you can see WE spinners ( for now I am one!) use only the most tuck of tools.

I am practicing each day and I am improving but I have learned many things

            1.  I will NEVER resent the cost of yarn again.

            2.  I will not look at a toilet paper roll the same way.

            3.  I have determination to master this skill

            4.  I AM IN LOVE WITH SPINNING.

           5.  I will NOT be making sweaters for the family.

            6.  I may - one day - make a sock.

This drop spindle is a dragon....my teachers son spins and wanted a "manly" drop spindle. There are some that are painted with beautiful scenes.  Mine remains unfinished until I reach that meditative state that allows me to understand the spirit of my spindle. 

Stay tuned for further updates on my adventure with spinning.

My progress just might surprise you!

CLOVER EVENTS

THE CLOVER CREW IN CHICAGO 

FOR THE

CRAFT & HOBBY ASSOCIATION SHOW

Being from the cool Northwest I usually dig in the back of my closet for "summer" clothes to pack for this show. Chicago is an energizing city to visit so it's with great expectations that I pack and prepare to head out for the CHA show. Who wouldn't be excited to get to wander around in the land of magic for crafters?

Although the lobby looked deserted on set up day, the next morning, bright and early it was filled with thousands of excited craft buyers eager to see the latest and the greatest.

  Opening ceremonies always includes a Pipe and Drum band roaming the aisles playing their incredible music. While the music is awesome, it's always good to watch a group of handsome men in mini skirts!

We were all energized by the music and ready to meet and greet all the eager customers who wanted to see what's new and how to share it with their customers.

 

The booth was bright and cheerful with our models and shining personalities. Phil South, our Northwest Rep; Carol Porter, Educational Director; and Louis Carson, National Account Manager, prepared to greet the crowd.

One part of my job is managing the models for our booth and project sheets ... how fun is that?!

Working with Carol Porter, Beckie Hanson, Alicia Salazar, and other designers for Clover is  truly inspiring. The creativity these women have is amazing.

   Not all at the Trade Show is serious and these adorable ladies are proof of that. I would love to hang out with them because I know it would be a barrel of fun. They were about cute and a half.

What you can't see is their glasses have green lenses to match the "things" attached to them.

Usually what happens at CHA stays at CHA but I happened to have my camera and they graciously allowed me to take their picture.

 

Our fearless leader and COO, Jan Carr, is always coming up with great solutions to booth problems. When we decided to move the Christmas tree to the Craft SuperShow booth in the next exhibit hall, he graciously offered to use his
scooter to transport it to the new location. His helper to the left is Jon Larson, our Midwest Rep.

I'm thinking about getting one of those scooters to help get around our place at home. Our mailbox is about a quarter mile from the house and I could just "scoot" on down there instead of walking ... heaven forbid I actually e-x-e-r-c-i-s-e !

 

Here are the Clover Girls!  L to R ... Beckie Hanson, Carol Porter, Fran Ortmeyer, Asuka Madenokoji and Alicia Salazar. You couldn't ask to work with a better crew.

During the trade show, we were visited by the Craft Diva herself,Danielle along with Jan Mollet-Evans. They were checking out what Clover had that was new and exciting. Check out whats new at the "lounge".Megan, Ana, and Scott from When Creativity Knocks dropped in to say hello, too. They have great programs on how to do some of the awesome crafts out here in craft land!

Another special lady, Tiffany Windsor from cool2craft.com filmed Alicia and Carol making heart pom-poms. Be sure and take a look at how to make this cool pompom shaped like a heart.

It's always good to see old friends and make new ones and that is part of the excitement of doing the shows, for me. A very special opportunity for us all was doing the Craft SuperShow which was open to the public. People came to learn and to purchase materials for their "addictions", and to do Make-It/Take-It projects at many of the booths. 

For those of us at Clover, having the opportunity to work with the consumer is a privilege as we learn from them and are able to demonstrate our products. The truly fun part of the SuperShow is working with the young crafters. They are so eager and I love their "can-do" attitudes. They are fearless and determined to learn these crafts and share with their friends.

For all of you that came by the booth and made our pom-poms - heart shaped and round - we thank you. Maybe you will recognize yourself in some of the following pictures.

This cutie is ready for Halloween ... or maybe she's the orange queen!

      This mom and daughter duo decided to wear their                                                                                 pompoms as craft tiaras       

 

Another happy pair that made some awesome pom-poms using Clovers Pom-Pom makers.

Until the next time ... keep crafting.

Tips and Tidbits

The HAIRPIN LACE TOOL

The most common questions I receive regarding this form of lace making is:

1.  How do I accurately measure my strips of lace?

            The best way to measure your hairpin lace strips is by counting the loops on one side of the strip                as you push it onto the waste yarn (check your hairpin lace instruction sheet)  holding the strip as             you form the loops.

2.  How do I join my strips of hairpin lace?

            There are several ways to join your strips and this is what makes the project you are working on                simple or very elegant.  My advice is to google "hairpin lace strip joining techniques tutorial".                    There are several very good tutorials that show you different ways to join your strips.

           

DOINGS

THE ROAD TRIP WITH HUBBY

DAY 6

JUNE 30

Another beautiful morning to wake to .. our last!  We quickly packed and headed out paying fond farewell to the Lady of the Lake as we hit the road.

 

Remember I mentioned earlier that all pictures were taken from a moving car....well....this day the car was moving even faster.  We returned home through eastern Oregon which is absolutely beautiful.  The wildflowers were in full bloom and I could not get Hubby to slow down ( heaven forbid we should actually stop) to get pictures.  I did get one shot when we had to stop for a train but it was a bond of contention on this, our last day together.

 

Oregon has some beautiful mountains and it is always with awe that I remember they are all in a chain of volcano's that were once active.  I took a picture of the lava field but at 70 mph there is not the fine defination of a picture taken while standing still. smile!

It has been a great trip and I am thankful for the time to see parts of our country not seen before and to have some time with Hubby.

The sun set long before we pulled into the garage at 1:00 in the morning.  Thirteen hours in the car - 700 miles and our home bed had never felt so welcoming.

Washington State's version of stonehenge.

Thanks for sharing the trip with me.  Now that I'm home I am eager to start on some of the projects I purchased yarn for in Truckee, CA.

DOINGS

THE ROAD TRIP WITH HUBBY

DAY 5

JUNE 29, 2010

Day 5 dawned bright and sunny.  It has come to my attention that people who live in sunny areas seem to enjoy  E-X-E-R-C-I-S-E !!  Amazing!  They ride bikes, walk, hike, water ski, swim.....I'm worn out just watching them.  Surely I have lost weight just watching all this activity!

  

Our quest today was to find the most elusive yarn shop and we dedicated the whole day to just that task...no matter how far we had to go.

After a little over an hour of breathtaking scenery we came upon a little town -- Truckee, CA -- on the opposite side of the lake from where we are staying.  Lake Tahoe is larger than some of our states!!! and each little bay and cove offers new and interesting scenery.

But, back to the great hunt for yarn ... as I said, I would search until I found a yarn shop and I would buy at least one skein of yarn even if it was the ugliest yarn in the whole united states.  Fortunately I didn't have to buy ugly yarn because LAKE TAHOE YARN COMPANY in Truckee, Ca had 3 rooms full of spectacular yarns.  Some of these beautiful dyed yarns are dyed by the owner, Kelly.  I have a lovely visit with Kelly and found a kindred spirit.

      

I was so taken with her models I wanted to sit and knit one of them while visiting with this lovely lady.  I came away with some fantastic yarn and several model ideas for Clover's booth AND a most fantastic book on lace knitting.  The Haapsalu Shawl - A Knitted Lace Tradition from Estonia.  I will enjoy reading it on the way home and know I will have a hard time deciding on the design I will work first.  Check this out if you haven't seen it.

If you are in the Reno , NV / Truckee, Ca take a side trip and check out the Lake Tahoe Yarn Company at 11008 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee, CA.

Another quest today was the "perfect Pine cone".... I found it but John declined to recover it for me!

Did I forget to mention it was at the top of a 250 foot tree.

 

It's evening and the sun is setting... we are off to dinner at the Thai restaurant we found.  Tomorrow we pack up and head home.  Check in tomorrow to see how day 6 goes.

DOINGS

THE ROAD TRIP WITH HUBBY

Day 4

June 27

Dawn comes early when you are on vacation but we hit the road with a little "Mickey D's" food and coffee... we had 500 miles to cover.

Yosemite here we come.  When I say I am going on a road trip with John I literally mean we are on the road most of the days.  I love the scenery and time to reconnect with him.  Our busy schedules keep us going in different directions most of the time.

Three days looking for a yarn shop and no luck.  We made it into Yosemite just as the battery in my camera died.....no battery, no yarn shop.  John graciously shared his camera with me so we were able to capture the high points of the park.  It is breathtaking and I couldn't leave the park gift shop without several books on the park, John Muir, Ansel Adams and one titled, Last Child in the Woods: Saving our children from nature-deficit disorder, by Richard Louv.  I am enjoying it immensely.

There are too many pics to share all of them with you but what follows are just a few.

                                     

wild flowers were everywhere.  I wish i had been able to capture more than these two...maybe tomorrow.

I do not know why the pictures bounce around when I put them in rows!

 

We returned to South Lake Tahoe a different route and passed through many little towns from the gold rush days.  It is with joy that I can tell you I found 3 yarn shops and 1 quilt shop....all on Sunday and all closed.  Tomorrow John has promised we WILL find a yarn shop if we have to retrace our steps!!! oh goodie!

It was sunset as we drove into Lake Tahoe with the clouds turning that soft rosy glow that comes with sunset.

So ends day 4.  We are still speaking.

Till tomorrow.....

DOINGS

THE ROAD TRIP WITH HUBBY

DAY 3

June 26

                                                                      

This the view we wake to each morning and look - people here actually exercise and seem to enjoy it...amazing.

We drove over the mountains through Carson, Virginia City and Gold Hill.  Seeing the old mining towns was interesting and the museums fun to wander through.

The scenic drive today  didn't let us down in the ooh and ahh category.  The lake is so huge it can be seen from the top of the mountain ridge.

The old mining towns that create so much of the history of this area were fun to drive through.  It was also a reminder of how hard the lives of those living in the area were.  I'm sure the women made their quilts and knit their socks ( if they could find wool) 

I still haven't found a yarn shop .. actually hailed a patrolman and ask him if there was a yarn shop in the town....he said he could honestly say NO.

People must truly come here to exercise...imagine that.

There were a few of the old house remaining from the mining days and they held their own faded beauty.

                              There were many old mine areas like this one but we would have had to actually stop the car to get pictures of them!

Please keep in mind that hubby isn't one to pull over for pics so all of these have been taken out the car window going about 70mph.  I am getting better and better at knitting and looking...no rows were pulled out today.

Not everyone in Nevada like the tourists!

     The sun was starting to set as we pulled back into Lake Tahoe.  It has been another grand day seeing some new country, time to work on my shawl and the tablecloth and time spent with hubby although, today, his jokes have not been quite so funny.  hummmmmm

Tomorrow we head to Yosemite National Park! Yea!!!!

DOINGS

THE ROAD TRIP WITH HUBBY

June 25, 2010

Driving through the Sisque Mountains this morning was a feast for the senses.   How beautiful Mt Shasta might have been had the clouds lifted long enough to see it.  In size alone it was magnificent so I have no complaints.  Washington's Mt Rainier has been known to hide from time to time.

                                          
Sisque Mts                                           Mt Shasta                              Big and little vehicles

Further down the road Mt Lassen was more than happy to pose for all the tourists.  I learned yesterday to put down the lace knitting when beautiful sights were coming and today had only 4 rows that had to be "un-stitched".  I am in dire need of a yarn shop as I somehow "misplaced" one of my knitting needles....bummer.  Each little town we drove through was checked with care for a yarn shop but none were found.  Do people not knit in the mountains of Northern California??

The evidence of several major wild fires in the mountains made it clear to all viewers the destructive force of these events.  The burned trees still standing looked like pieces of art.  Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder and small miracles are everywhere if we can see with our hearts eye.

                                                          
                                                   forest fire damaged trees

A side trip to Burney Falls in Lassen National Park was well worth the time.  I found a bench in the shade and knit on my shawl while hubby did a little hiking.  I could have spent much more time there listening to the falls, smelling the pine scented air and listening to the birds.  It was a fantastic mental spa treatment.

                                 

Until the replacement needle can be found I will be working with my yoyo project.  I wonder how long it will take to make enough of the "sets" to complete a bed cover.  It might just end up being one of those once in a life time finds at the estate sale my children have when I pass away.

                                                       

Lake Tahoe is very large and I imagine hubby and I will have lovely walks to the beach area...to the shops in town also.  Tomorrow brings day 3 and an unplanned agenda....other than finding a yarn shop and we all know once that happens it could bring on a whole new adventure. 

Till tomorrow.....